Is Ashtabula Safe, Pros and cons of living in Ashtabula

Ashtabula, Ohio, nestled on the shores of Lake Erie, presents a unique blend of small-city charm and accessible living. This northeastern Ohio city offers a distinct lifestyle for those seeking an escape from the urban bustle, with a strong emphasis on affordability and community connection. Its location provides residents with opportunities for enjoying the natural beauty of the Great Lakes region.

The city’s housing market is notably attractive, with median home values significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership a more attainable goal for many. This affordability extends to daily living expenses, contributing to a cost of living that is generally lower than both the national and state averages. Ashtabula’s character is shaped by its industrial past and its current efforts toward revitalization, creating a dynamic environment for its residents.

Is it Safe to Live in Ashtabula?

Ashtabula’s overall crime rate is reported to be lower than both the national and state averages (as reported by Map AI). In a typical year, the city experiences a crime rate of 38.50 per 1,000 residents (as reported by AreaVibes). Residents often consider the northwest part of the city to be the safest area, with the chance of being a victim of crime varying by neighborhood (as reported by AreaVibes).

Violent crime in Ashtabula is reported to be 48.2% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Property crime also sees a significant reduction, being 47.8% lower than the U.S. average (as reported by AreaVibes). While overall crime rates are lower than the national average, Ashtabula ranks in the 19th percentile for safety, indicating it is safer than 19% of U.S. cities (as reported by AreaVibes).

Cost of Living and Housing

Ashtabula offers a cost of living that is notably lower than the national average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). The city’s cost of living is approximately 10% less than the U.S. national average (as reported by Salary.com). This affordability is largely driven by housing expenses, which are significantly below national figures.

The median home value in Ashtabula is around $98,981 (as reported by Livability.com), and the median listing price is $177,000 (as reported by Ashtabula, OH Housing Market & Rental trends). Median rent is also considerably lower than the national average, with figures around $641 per month (as reported by Apartments.com). This makes Ashtabula an attractive option for those looking to minimize housing costs.

Housing Costs

Housing in Ashtabula is a significant draw for potential residents due to its affordability. The median home value is substantially lower than the national average, with various sources reporting figures around $92,000 to $105,900 (as reported by Niche and Ashtabula, OH Housing Market & Rental trends). This affordability makes homeownership a realistic prospect for a broader range of individuals.

Rental prices also reflect this affordability. The median rent across all bedroom counts and property types is approximately $1,250 as of April 2026 (as reported by Zumper). Renters can expect to pay around $613 for a studio, $641 for a one-bedroom, and $724 for a two-bedroom apartment (as reported by Apartments.com).

Cost of Living Index

Ashtabula’s overall cost of living is favorable, being 13% less than the national average and 3% less than the Ohio average (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert). This score is calculated by accumulating the costs of food, transportation, healthcare, rent, utilities, and miscellaneous expenses. Food costs in Ashtabula are noted as being less affordable than the U.S. average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute).

For a single person, estimated monthly living expenses are around $2,049, and for a family of four, they are approximately $4,509 (as reported by Salary.com). These figures underscore the city’s position as one of America’s less expensive cities in which to reside.

Job Market and Economy

The employment landscape in Ashtabula is characterized by key industries that form the backbone of its economy. Manufacturing is a primary sector, followed by retail trade and healthcare and social assistance (as reported by Data USA). These sectors provide a range of employment opportunities for residents within the city.

The average salary in Ashtabula, Ohio, is reported to be around $60,729 per year, or approximately $29 per hour (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert). However, other sources indicate a median household income of $44,120 (as reported by Data USA and Ashtabula Demographics). The unemployment rate in Ashtabula County was 5.2% in 2026 (as reported by YCharts and Ashtabula County). This figure is lower than the long-term average for the county.

Major Employers

Several key employers contribute significantly to the job market in Ashtabula and Ashtabula County. Cleveland Clinic and Ashtabula County Medical Center are prominent healthcare providers (as reported by Zippia and Ohio Economic Profile). Other significant employers include University Hospitals, Lowe’s, and Dollar General (as reported by Ohio Economic Profile).

Manufacturing companies also play a vital role, with entities like Mohawk Industries, INEOS, and Molded Fiber Glass Companies being notable presences in the region (as reported by Indeed.com). These diverse employers offer a spectrum of job opportunities across various sectors.

Salary and Wages

The average salary in Ashtabula, Ohio, varies depending on the source, with estimates ranging from approximately $40,000 annually (as reported by Zippia) to $60,729 per year (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert). ZipRecruiter reports a broader range for “Ashtabula Oh” jobs, with the majority falling between $200,000 and $300,000 annually, though this may reflect specialized roles or a wider geographic scope (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The median household income is reported as $44,120 (as reported by Data USA).

The minimum wage rate in Ashtabula, OH, is $8.80 per hour, which is higher than the federal minimum wage (as reported by Zippia). This indicates a commitment to ensuring a baseline level of compensation for workers within the city.

Climate and Weather

Ashtabula experiences a climate with distinct seasons, typical of northeastern Ohio. Summers are generally warm and can be partly cloudy, while winters are cold, often accompanied by snow, wind, and cloudy skies (as reported by Weather Spark). The temperature typically ranges from approximately 21°F to 80°F throughout the year, with rare extremes outside this range (as reported by Weather Spark).

The city receives an average annual rainfall of about 43 inches (as reported by Livability.com). Average annual snowfall is considerably higher, around 74 inches (as reported by Livability.com). The month with the most rain is typically September, with about 3.1 inches, while February sees the least, with around 0.9 inches (as reported by Weather Spark).

Average Temperatures

The warm season in Ashtabula spans from late May to mid-September, with daily high temperatures frequently exceeding 71°F (as reported by Weather Spark). July is the hottest month, with average highs around 80°F and lows around 64°F (as reported by Weather Spark). Conversely, the cold season lasts from early December to mid-March, with daily high temperatures below 43°F (as reported by Weather Spark).

January is the coldest month, with average lows around 23°F and highs around 34°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The average annual temperature in Ashtabula is around 58°F high and 41°F low (as reported by Livability.com).

Rainfall and Snowfall

Ashtabula experiences a notable amount of precipitation throughout the year. The average annual rainfall is around 43 inches (as reported by Livability.com and myPerfectWeather). September typically sees the highest monthly rainfall, while February has the least (as reported by Weather Spark).

Winters bring significant snowfall, with an average annual snowfall of approximately 74 inches (as reported by Livability.com). Some sources indicate a higher average annual snowfall of 90 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). This substantial snowfall contributes to the winter character of the region.

Education and Schools

Ashtabula is served by several school districts, with the Ashtabula Area City School District being a primary one. This district has a student-teacher ratio of 20 to 1, and state test scores indicate that 28% of students are proficient in math and 36% in reading (as reported by Niche). The district’s overall Niche grade is a C minus (as reported by Niche).

Other school districts in Ashtabula County include Buckeye Local School District, which has a rating of 4.21 out of 5 (as reported by Niche), and Geneva Area City School District, rated 4.14 out of 5 (as reported by Niche). Performance varies among schools, with some, like Edgewood High School, showing strong academic performance, while others face challenges with graduation rates and test scores (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

School District Performance

The performance of school districts in Ashtabula varies. The Ashtabula Area City School District has a student-teacher ratio of 19 students per classroom, which is slightly higher than the Ohio state average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). This district performs better than 52.6% of all Ohio school districts (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

In Ashtabula County, public schools have an average math proficiency score of 46% and a reading proficiency score of 54%, both lower than the Ohio state average (as reported by Niche). The schools in Ashtabula County have an average ranking of 2/10, placing them in the bottom 50% of Ohio public schools (as reported by Niche).

Student Demographics

The student population in Ashtabula reflects the city’s broader demographic makeup. In Ashtabula County, minority enrollment is 19% of the student body, which is less than the Ohio state average (as reported by Niche). Schools with higher rates of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch tend to have lower test scores, suggesting potential equity issues (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

Chronic absenteeism is a significant concern in the Ashtabula Area City district, with rates ranging from 33.2% to 41.4% (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). This issue may contribute to the academic challenges faced by many students in the area.

Demographics and Population

Ashtabula, Ohio, has a population of approximately 17,975 as of the 2020 census (as reported by Wikipedia). The city’s population has seen a decline in recent years, consistent with trends in many Rust Belt cities experiencing a decrease in industrial jobs (as reported by Wikipedia). Projections estimate the population to be around 17,732 in 2026 (as reported by Ashtabula Demographics).

The demographic makeup of Ashtabula is predominantly White, accounting for about 70.1% of the population, followed by Hispanic (14%) and Black (8.5%) residents (as reported by Ashtabula Demographics). The median age in Ashtabula is 41.2 years (as reported by Data USA).

Racial and Ethnic Composition

The racial composition of Ashtabula is primarily White, making up approximately 75.22% of the population (as reported by Data USA). Black or African American residents constitute about 8.82%, with smaller percentages for other races and multiracial populations (as reported by Data USA). Hispanic or Latino individuals represent about 13.99% of the population (as reported by Data USA).

In Ashtabula County, the racial makeup in 2020 was 87.6% White, 3.7% Black or African American, and 4.6% Hispanic or Latino (as reported by Wikipedia). This shows a slightly different, though still predominantly White, composition at the county level.

Age and Gender Distribution

The median age in Ashtabula is 41.2 years, with a slightly older demographic compared to the national average (as reported by Data USA). Specifically, 26.4% of residents are under 18, and 14.7% are 65 or older (as reported by Wikipedia). The gender distribution shows slightly more females than males, with 93.4 males for every 100 females (as reported by Data USA).

At the county level, the median age was 38 years as of 2020 (as reported by Wikipedia). For every 100 females, there were 101.6 males in Ashtabula County in 2020 (as reported by Wikipedia).